Customer Reviews

Carly's Sound

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Poppy Valente is a self-made, wealthy woman who lost the love of her life, Carly, to an aggressive form of breast cancer two years prior to the start of this story. Deciding it is time to rejoin the living world, Poppy takes an active part in the opening of her newest resort, Carly's Sound. In the meantime, Julia Johnson poses as her brother's wife and comes to live in the employee housing at the resort. Poppy and Julia become fast friends and eventually find it hard to resist the growing feelings between them.

Poppy is devastated and unsure how to proceed with these new feelings due to her love for Carly. Add to that, Poppy still thinks Julia is married to her brother (she doesn't think they're brother and sister, but husband and wife). Carly's spirit helps guide Poppy through this difficult time and helps her let go of the past and embrace her future.

Vali uses flashbacks often in her writing. Many writers fail to do this well, by Vali is a master with the technique. The reader is never confused about the time frame or the relevance of a given scene. Vali's characters are multi-dimensional and complex. They have families, pasts, feelings, and insecurities.

This reader loves her writing, `Carly's Sound' being among her best work. Highly recommended. Make sure you have a few hours to dedicate to reading, because once you start you won't be able to put it down until it's finished.

This is the second book I've read by this new writer, and it was as good, if not better, than the first. The book is well thought out, well written, and well edited. It is one that I literally could not put down, and it brought tears to my eyes, as well as laughter, during different parts of the story.

Ali Vali has quickly become one of my favorite writers, and I look forward to her next book. If all books were all of this quality and intensity, I would never get anything done.

Carly's Sound is a resort that Poppy Valente has built to honor her late wife. Carly has been dead for two years but it seems to Poppy that it just happened yesterday.

Julia Johnson is a young Mom who is at Carly's Sound for reasons of her own.

The women meet and begin to feel an attraction for each other but both are reticent. Poppy out of loyalty to her dead wife and Julia because of a secret she has kept from Poppy; a secret she fears will end their relationship.

Poppy is a wonderfully drawn character to whom you are immediately drawn. Unfortunately, I couldn't get a feel for Julia's character at all. Carly, the late wife, is more well-drawn than Julia and her character animated the story with her wit, her charm and her love.

The secondary characters are interesting and well-drawn.

This is a wonderful romance with a slight twist but I won't spoil it for you. It is magical and mysterious. It made me cry and laugh, sometimes at the same time. I recommend it highly.

Poppy Valente is beautiful, wealthy and a woman recovering from the heartbreak of losing her wife to breast cancer. Julia Johnson is a single mother with an infant daughter and a secret. The two women meet when Poppy comes to Julia's rescue in a difficult situation.

Crisis averted, they part ways, each going back to their own life. Needless to say, both women are surprised when they meet again at a most unexpected place. Unbenownst to Poppy, Julia has gone to the same island resort Poppy arrives at shortly thereafter to recover from her loss. A beautiful and peaceful resort Julia learns, unexpectedly, that Poppy owns and has built as a tribute to Carly, Poppy's deceased wife.

In an effort to jump-start her recovery, Poppy befriends Julia and volunteers to play "tour guide" for both mother and child, showing them around her island. As the three of them spend more and more time together, both women realize that something is happening. Feelings that began as friendship are evolving into something more. Julia becomes certain that she wants a chance at a life with Poppy. Poppy thinks she wants a life with Julia. She just can't help feeling like she'll be betraying her deceased wife if she allows herself to take what is being offered. However, it seems that "someone" is trying to get Poppy to let go and live again. As if things aren't difficult enough, will the revelation of Julia's secret take away this new chance at happiness for them both? Who from Julia's life will do their best to see that happen?

Ali Vali's newest offering, Carly's Sound is a book with a serious message, interspersed with spots of humor as well as drama and unfolds a tale of lost love, dedication, determination and strength of heart that will capture even the most stoic of readers. Her first book, The Devil Inside captured and held readers spellbound. The sequel, The Devil Unleashed due to be released December 2006, will certainly prove a definitive talent has been let loose.

Carly's Sound is a wonderful book! You feel for all of the characters that lost part of themselves the day Carly died. I can't imagine loosing the love of my life, let alone through suffering and pain. Ali Vali paints a very real picture of the pain and sorrow that a person would go through.
I loved all of these characters... The love that is shared between Poppy and Carly is wonderful but the friendship that builds and becomes love between Poppy and Julia is a love that everyone wishes for themselves. I love the strength these two women showed throughout the book. And Lizzie, Carly's daughter, is great. A step-parents dream! Lizzie is a part of Poppy's life forever and that is exactly the way Poppy wants it!
Along with the loss of a great love, this book containes hope, humor, and the finding of an even greater love! I cried and laughed out loud throughout this amazing journey to find happiness again.
Ali Vali is an amazing writer. She really makes you feel what the characters are feeling. This booked flowed and I couldn't put it down! I can't wait to read more from this great writer! Thanks for sharing your talent and story with the rest of us!!

Ali Vali has written another wonderful story. Her characters are thought provoking, well scripted and easily identified with. Her story line is intriguing, entertaining and heartfelt. It is easy to be swept up in her story telling. She has quickly become one of my favorite authors, and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

I didn't realize until I finished this book that the author's "Devil" series, which I loved, came after Carly's Sound. Having said that, Carly's Sound in my opinion was great! The characters were well fleshed out, the storyline had substance, and even the "paranormal" essence was appropriate and believable. This author has a way of writing that keeps the reader continuously entertained and interested. And the intermittent references to New Orleans, Louisiana was a plus for me. All in all Carly's Sound was sound writing!

First I should say, I read a LOT of books. I was moved by this book more than I have been by a book in a long time. Bold Stroke Books, the publisher, has done it again by snagging Ali Vali, the author of this wonderful story. In fact, they have published 4 of her books, with more soon to be published.

Poppy, the main character in this book, has lost her partner, Carly to breast cancer. 2 years later she begins the process of slowly pulling herself out of the depths of mourning, and in the process meets Julia and her infant. But how can you move forward when you have lost your soul mate? Is it possible to have more than one great love in your life? Would loving someone else be a betrayal to Carly?

Poppy is the owner of several resort hotels and has high expectations of the staff. Her guests deserve only the best. As she gets ready to open a new resort, Carly's Sound, she meets Julia. It's the 2nd time that they've met. What could have brought about a meeting here, in another country? Is it a coincidence or something else?

The author moves us between the past and the present bringing us to the bittersweet "here and now" where love is in front of Poppy. The question is - does she allow herself to feel it?

Go buy this book. You will love it.

Slow start but you start to like it and then it pulls you in. I even had a tear before it was over.

Carly's Sound is a sensitive story about loss and renewal. Ali Vali shows a masterful use of the language in the way she deals with Poppy's feelings. There are no long tortuous passages about how much she misses Carly. Instead, Vali uses her words and actions to show how much Carly meant to Poppy and what a devastation her loss was. Vali doesn't bludgeon the reader with sadness, but the feeling is still there. One of the best devices used in the book is to have Carly's ghost appear in the story. Whenever Poppy's misery threatens to become too strong, Carly pops in and provides some comic relief. The great affection between the two characters is obvious, but so is the fact that Carly is ready for Poppy to move on. The reader can also feel Poppy's confusion as her feelings for Julia begin to develop and she feels that she is somehow betraying the relationship she had with Carly. Julia provides a perfect character study as the woman who wants to love Poppy, but is afraid she will never be able to live up to what Poppy had before. Vali shows herself to be a talented writer in how she tells her story and presents her characters. Whether or not the reader has ever experienced such a loss, you will feel empathy with the characters and know that you've read a good book.